Baseball/Softball Training Aid

ABSTRACT

A collapsible seating device is provided for support of a catcher in a crouched position while catching balls from a pitcher. The seating device is collapsible from an as-used supporting configuration to a planar collapsed configuration for transport. Wheels on one end of the frame allow for rolling of the frame for transport.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/687,651 filed on Apr. 30, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to baseball and softball training and instruction aiding devices. More particularly the invention relates to a baseball/softball training aid and protective chair device for use by a catcher or instructor positioned behind a batter which collapses to a substantially planer collapsed mode with a wheeled distal end for easy transport. The device promotes proper stance and eliminates fatigue and knee strain on the catcher, while concurrently providing protection from ball strikes, without the discomfort of conventional chest and leg guards. The device can be employed as a training aid for a catcher, or as a protective and fatigue-reducing instruction aid for an instructor or practice partner when instructing one or both of a training batter and pitcher. The device is additional well suited to facilitate the movement of a catcher from a protected and seated as-used position on the device to a standing position.

2. Prior Art

Training and instruction of baseball players regardless of skill level is highly valuable for teaching the necessary skills needed to quickly and accurately react in real time game play. Many positions in baseball require precise body positioning and mechanics and muscle memory, which some find difficult to learn, and is a prime focus during player training and instruction. In particular, hitting is often an area of concern for many players, as the mechanics of a good swing can be both difficult to learn and to retain. In addition, the pitcher and catcher are players which must also learn many valuable skills for proper throwing mechanics, and the catching stance for catching the ball.

The most valuable training sessions typically occur when carried out one-on-one, with an instructor and player. This arrangement allows the instructor to provide specific feedback to the player, for correcting or changing aspects of their game play and body mechanics to elicit a better outcome. In addition, the use of video recording has been a highly valuable tool for instructors and players alike, as a visual training aid.

Conventional batter or pitcher training may involve an instructor taking the place of the catcher. In this position the instructor is provided a better perspective to instruct the players on correcting their game and body mechanics. For some practices, a pitching machine may also be used to provide consistent repeated pitches to the batter.

In either case, the instructor playing the part as the catcher will undoubtedly encounter leg and knee fatigue due to the relatively crouched stance needed to bring their eyes, substantially eye level with the batter's swing and the incoming pitch. This allows the instructor to evaluate one or both of the pitch trajectory and swing mechanics of the batter for the thrown pitch. As such, as a conventional solution to reduce fatigue of the crouched stance, the instructor may sit on a bucket, milk crate, or other elevated item. However, such non-standardized conventional seating components are not only uncomfortable, but are also be quite dangerous should a wild pitch thrown by the pitcher, happen to get past the instructor or be missed initially by the instructors viewing. The instructor may be struck in the chest, groin, or legs, which can be extremely painful and injurious.

Other training methods may involve the pitcher pitching to a catcher, with an instructor standing to the side. This allows the instructor to instruct one or all three of the pitcher, batter, or catcher. In this side viewing scenario, again, the catcher may become easily and quickly fatigued, especially if instruction is focused on other players, and the catcher is required to hold a conventional crouched stance for extended periods of time which are much longer than a single at-bat of a batter during a game. Such a stance for long periods is very hard on the legs and knees.

As the catcher becomes fatigued, they may be more prone to making mistakes, which could potentially injure the catcher or batter. In addition, the catcher typically wears bulky protective padding on the chest, legs, thighs, and groin. This padding can inhibit the catcher's ability to move quickly, and in hot climates becomes quickly uncomfortable and can contribute to heat related injury. All these problems are impractical during long training sessions, especially where game play is frequently halted and instructor feedback is given to various players.

Further, in many practice situations, catchers are often substituted or inserted into the batting/field practice to give the catch more experience at another position should it ever be necessary. With the conventional use of multiple padding components which must be removed, and placed on another player, this switch-out can be extremely time consuming and frequently interrupts the flow of practice. Trainers and coaches understand that the process to switch the player to and from the catcher position, is quite time consuming, especially if there is only one set of conventional pads available. They thus tend to avoid it to the detriment of the catcher learning other positions and the team having a substitute if needed for another position.

In addition, for new catchers, the need to teach and promote proper stance is highly valuable so that they can properly catch a pitched ball. This is extremely important where the players are older and play for more advanced baseball leagues. This is because balls can be pitched by advanced and older players are thrown at extremely fast speeds. At such high speeds, especially in the case of a hardball, uncaught balls or wild pitches can be quite dangerous if not quickly acted upon by the catcher to prevent them. However, such skills are those which can only be learned while playing and experiencing them and only once proper stance and positioning is accomplished.

Still further, it is also well known that video recording of player training can be quite valuable in order to directly show a player a correct and incorrect aspect of their game play. The use of video recording providing a visual feedback to the player can allow the player to better understand the feedback given from the instructor. This feedback is used in order to actually ascertain what appropriate corrections in body positioning and mechanics should be carried out to remedy the problem.

Conventional recording solutions typically involve placing a camera at or near the player, recording the entire training session, and later on after cessation of practice, playing back the recording on a video device as a followup to the instructions. However, typical camera devices do not easily facilitate placement of the camera at or near the perspective of the catcher, or the eyes of an instructor acting as the catcher. It is only in this perspective view, where the pitcher and incoming pitch can be seen in real time, which has been shown to be highly valuable for training and instructing players. However, the temporal lag between the viewing of the improper technique or throw or action, and the actual occurrence is a major stumbling block to correction.

Prior art has shown other attempts to provide training aid devices, seating devices, and similar devices for protecting a catcher and promoting proper stance and positioning for a catcher. US 2008/0079295 A1 to Butler is one such example which teaches an adjustable seat with protective barrier and leg guards for use by a catcher to protect from errantly thrown or missed catches. However, the device to Butler is intended merely as a seat device providing protection to the catcher, and does not teach any means for instructive catcher training for proper stance or positioning. In addition, the elevated body guard portion may render the device inoperable and unsafe for use behind a swinging batter, as the guard would be positioned in the swinging arc of the bat. Further, transport to and from a large baseball field and in the confines of a car are complicated by the fact that Butler's device will not collapse to a planar configuration nor does it provide wheels for the long runs such devices must traverse.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,617 to Groves teaches a portable seat for catchers to be positioned behind home plate which lessens the strain on the knees and legs of the catcher. Although providing support against knee and leg strain, the device fails to provide any means of catcher protection, or training of proper catcher stance and positioning. In addition, the device positions the seat atop a precarious spring requiring the user to balance and avoid bouncing and further requires the catcher to wear conventional protective equipment. Such equipment as noted in hot weather is not desirable and is impractical for long training sessions which exceed a game time by many hours.

As such, there is a continuing unmet need for a baseball training aid device, which will train and promote proper stance and positioning for a catcher, while providing protection in areas such as the legs, groin, and chest. Such a device should also be employable by instructors for an as-used positioning behind a batter, which positions the instructor for an enhanced viewing of the pitch trajectory and swing mechanics of the batter as a means for player instruction and evaluation.

Such a device should also provide a means for video recording, through the employment of a video recording and radar component advantageously positioned at or near the perspective of the catcher or instructor. Such a device should provide a means for real-time video feed, to one or a plurality of remote video display devices for viewing by additional instructors in locations remote of the device, and by players themselves in real time, or immediately subsequent, for further enhancing player training.

Still further, since baseball training often takes place on conventional baseball fields or similar locations requiring instructors to transport and carry the necessary equipment. Consequently such a device should be collapsed to a small planar-like footprint rendering it easily transportable in the tight confines of a car trunk, and to allow for a wheeled traverse of the long expanses between car and home plate of a baseball diamond. Further, to aid the instructor, such a device in the planar configuration should be employable as a wheeled rack to and allow for the removably engaged luggage such as bags, buckets, and the like, to also be wheeled to their venue and position of use.

The forgoing examples of related art and limitation related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the invention described and claimed herein. Various limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device herein disclosed and described provides a solution to the shortcomings in prior art and achieves the above noted goals through the provision of a baseball training aid and protective chair device. In accordance with one preferred mode, the device is formed with a collapsible frame which folds to a collapsed substantially planar configuration, and expands to an as-used configuration supporting a seat and one or a plurality of protective guards in operative positioning to support and protect the user.

The frame of the device is preferably configured with components rendering it foldable from a planar configuration for transport, into an as-used configuration. In the as-used configuration the device affords a seat for the user for positioning behind a hitting batter, or for catching pitches from a pitcher without a batter, wherein the seat is in a elevated position which supports the seated user in the proper couched stance conventionally used by baseball catchers without the accompanying knee strain. To accommodate different users, the height of the seat may be vertically adjusted as needed. In the as-used sitting mode, guards are operatively positioned and configured to act as protective barriers against a ball strike, for one or a plurality of user body areas including the users feet, legs, thighs, and groin.

Additionally, other modes of the device may provide a removable or operatively positioned chest guard barrier to protect the user from a ball strike to the chest which has been shown to be potentially deadly. The chest guard is provided by an elongated padded guard member, extending from a substantially central position on the central member of the device, at or near the seat or groin guard. The chest guard may also be positioned in a biased engagement biased toward the seat via a spring or the like. This is especially preferred in that the biased engagement provides a force to resist the weight of the user during a lean against the guard. This allows for training the user in a proper leaning stance, and maintaining a forward leaning position as is often desired for proper stance of the catcher, without the extreme wear and tear on the user's knees, and other body components.

The device in the as-used sitting mode, will allow a catcher or instructor to be seated on the device for use behind a hitting batter or for providing catching for practicing pitches from a pitcher. While seated on the device and catching without a batter, the user is afforded protection from ball strikes sufficient to eliminate the need of conventional protective padding or other equipment. This is especially important for users such as parents who may wish to help their child practice, but who also lack protective gear, and may be concerned about injury from ball strikes should they miss a catch from a hardball thrown by their teen.

While the device is configured to allow for a seated crouched position and to protect the user from ball strikes, it is anticipated that the user may still employ a conventional face mask for face, neck, and head protection. Thus the device becomes a highly valuable training aid both for an instructor and training baseball catchers, since conventional bulky padding is not required, thereby reducing user fatigue and overheating. It also allows the user to quickly and easily sit or stand up from the device as needed for suggesting positioning or other corrections, or, during a period of instructor feedback when players huddle or change positions.

In addition, the device will easily facilitate the movement of the catcher to and from the seated catcher position to standing. This will speed up the changing of players to and from the catcher position, and is valuable for keeping up the flow of practice. Further, since players are not required to employ conventional padding with the device, a switching of different players to and from the catcher position for practice and training purposes can be accomplished much faster thereby encouraging multi position training.

At a second end of the frame, opposite the engaged seat, there is preferably included one or a plurality of leg and thigh guards, provided by elongated planar members positioned to provide protective guards. The guards are configured and engaged for positioning in front of the legs of the seated user in the as-used sitting mode of the device. The guards may be configured to extend a vertical height sufficient to cover at least the sitting users feet and shins or may be sized for such. However more preferably the engaged guards will extend over the users knees to an end which is positioned above the seated user's thighs to also provide knee and thigh protection.

Padded portions may be provided for the regions of the pads which contact the user's knee for improved user comfort and safety. Additionally, the leg and thigh guards may be engaged in a matter to be laterally adjustable as a means to change the width between the guards to accommodate different users, as well as being height adjustable.

A groin guard is also preferably provided and positioned at or near the seat, preferably between the chest guard, if present, and the seat. The groin guard may be provided by a raised wall extending from the frame intended to cover the users groin when seated on the as-used sitting mode of the device.

It accordance with at least one other preferred mode, the device employs means for video recording and communicating recorded video for playback immediately after recording or concurrently with recording. This can include an operatively engage video recording and radar component positioned at or near the second end of the device, adjacent the leg guards, positioned at a suitable height to provide a view of the at least one of the hitting batter, pitcher, or strike zone. Electrical power can be provided by one or any suitable combination of rechargeable or replaceable battery, or plug-in for engagement to a conventional power socket or extension cord.

The video recording and radar component is preferably configured with suitable software allowing the user to record video as needed, as well as ascertain a pitched ball speed. A video display component, in a wired or wireless communication with the video recording and radar component may be provided to display the real time captured video feed, ball speed, as well as the recorded video for playback later. An especially preferred mode of the device allows for the use of a smartphone camera as the video recorder by engagement of the smartphone with a holster for the phone.

It is of particular advantageous utility to provide a video display component which can be employed remotely of the device, and display video in real time, such that an additional instructor, player, or parent can view the video feed captured from the video recorder for evaluating the batter stance and swing, and strike zone of the pitched ball. Thus, during a training session, either an instructor or catcher player can employ the device, and other instructors, players, or parents can also view, and or record the action and the various aspects of batter and pitcher from the perspective of the catcher by employing the video display component. In at least one preferred mode, video recording can be provided through the adapted engagement of a users smartphone, such as an IPHONE or ANDROID phone, or other suitable electronic having video capturing and recording means. The user will preferably be provided with a downloadable software application adapted to one or any suitable combination of tasks including, recording ball trajectory, speed, and providing the software with a location relative a predetermined ‘strike zone’, capturing video, and communicating the video feed in real-time to other devices such as other instructor, player, or parent smartphones.

In this fashion, all users present or remote to the practice in real time, can be afforded a wireless communication with the recording device for recording and/or real-time viewing of the movements of the ball and players for training players. Using the Wifi or Bluetooth of the smartphone, a wireless communication network through Bluetooth or the Internet can be set up from the recording smartphone to allow any number of other users to simultaneously view the video feed, as needed for instructive or training purposes.

It is briefly noted that those skilled in the art will recognize various means for carrying out these intended features of the invention. As such it is to be understood that other methods, applications and systems employing software adapted to the task may be configured to carry out these features and are therefor considered to be within the scope and intent of the present invention, and are anticipated.

In yet another mode of the invention, a measuring tape component may be provided to allow an instructor user to measure distances from the end of the device to a position such as a pitching mound distance. This may be an especially desired feature since it allows for player training sessions which do not also take place on baseball field having a home plate and pitchers mound present.

In addition, the device is preferably collapsible into an collapsed or transport mode. The frame with engaged seat and plurality of guards are engaged with the frame in a manner which allows them to be folded along with the frame, into a substantially planar transportable unit. At a first end of the folded device is located a pull handle opposite a second end having wheels on axles. In the collapsed mode, the wheels and handle which can be permanently or removably engaged to the frame, provide the user an easy position to grip, and provide for wheel supported transport of the device. It is anticipated that the use of quick release means, such as threaded knobs, latches, or the like, can be employed to secure and thereafter operatively unlock the device from the sitting mode to allow the user to easily fold or collapse the device into the transport mode.

In the collapsed transport mode, one or a plurality of luggage hooks or latches may be engaged to mating positions on the frame, and thereby may be employed to hang or store additional equipment such as storage bags or buckets and support their weight on the wheels. Such components are commonly used for containing baseball accessories such as balls, gloves, and the like, and thus it would be preferred to be able to allow the user to simply use the collapsed frame to support the other accessories while the device is rolled to and from positions.

In at least one preferred mode, the wheels are operatively positioned in an elevated engagement to the frame when in the sitting mode. This is especially preferred to maintain the wheels substantially elevated during use of the device, but moveable to support the device during transport. Raised to the elevated position, the wheels are afforded protection from dust and the dirt or grass support surface when in the sitting mode. The elevated position during use is preferred to keep the wheel bearings out of a contact with the dust, or dirt or other debris present on the training field to maintain the quality of the rolling of wheels after prolonged use. In this mode of the device, when moved to the collapsed position for transport, the device can be easily inverted to thereby position the wheels in a contact with the ground as needed for wheeled transport of the device.

With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention herein described is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

As used in the claims to describe the various inventive aspects and embodiments, “comprising” means including, but not limited to, whatever follows the word “comprising”. Thus, use of the term “comprising” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present. By “consisting of” is meant including, and limited to, whatever follows the phrase “consisting of”. Thus, the phrase “consisting of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, and that no other elements may be present. By “consisting essentially of” is meant including any elements listed after the phrase, and limited to other elements that do not interfere with or contribute to the activity or action specified in the disclosure for the listed elements. Thus, the phrase “consisting essentially of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present depending upon whether or not they affect the activity or action of the listed elements.

The objects features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing prior art, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the improvements described in this specification and hereinafter described in the following detailed description which fully discloses the invention, but should not be considered as placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a particularly preferred as-used configuration or sitting mode of the folding protective chair device for use by a catcher or instructor positioned behind a batter having a collapsible frame, seat, and a plurality of protective guards.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the device of FIG. 1, showing the wheels engaged to by default assume a substantially elevated position, off of the ground when configured in the as-used sitting mode of the invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the device of FIG. 1 showing the leg and groin guards.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the device folded on rotating connectors to a planar transport mode of the device of FIG. 1, and showing the frame in the folded or collapsed mode, and having an pull handle and luggage hook.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the mode of the device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the mode of the device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of another preferred mode of the invention showing a particularly preferred housing for registered positioning of one or both of video recording and radar components, and a measuring tape housing component engaged to the device.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of the mode of the device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of yet another particularly preferred mode of the invention having a protective case adapted for removable registered engagement of a smartphone, such as an IPHONE, for use as a video capture device and recorder.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of yet another mode of the invention having a biased chest guard to resist leaning by the user thereon.

FIG. 11 shows a front view of the mode of the device of FIG. 10.

Other aspects of the present invention shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-10, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 the baseball training aid and protective chair device 10. The device 10 in FIGS. 1-3 is shown in a preferred as-used sitting configuration, for use by a catcher or instructor positioned behind a swinging batter or for practicing catching balls from a pitcher without a batter present.

The various components of the device 10 disclosed herein can be formed of conventional materials such as steal, stainless steal, aluminum, sheet metal, plastic, however can be formed of any material suitable for the purposes set forth in this disclosure.

The device 10 includes a frame 12 having an engaged seat 14 at a first end of the frame 12 formed in a generally triangular configuration with a diagonal member 13 in rotational engagement with a horizontal disposed member 15 and vertical member 17, and a pair of vertically disposed leg protective guards 16 on a second end of the horizontal member 15 of the frame 12 opposite the first and seat 14. Engagements of the horizontal member 15 to the vertical member 17 and diagonal member 13 allow for rotation of the respective components relative to each other to assume a planar collapsed positioning such as in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6. A locking member 21 extending between the diagonal member 13 and a horizontal supporting member 18 has a locked position of FIG. 10, but will rotate at centrally located pin to allow rotation of the guards 16 substantially parallel to the horizontal member 15 when moved to the collapsed configuration.

The frame 12 as noted positionable into the as-used sitting mode as currently shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 10-11, for employment behind home plate or other location. So positioned, the seat 14 is in a elevated position atop a horizontally disposed member 15 of the frame 12, providing positioning a seated user, but at a height above the support surface to yield the proper couched stance conventionally known in the art for baseball catchers.

To accommodate different users, the device 10 is user customizable. The height of the seat 14 may be vertically adjustable as needed by adjusting the height of the rear positioned vertical member 17 which may be telescopic, and the engagement points of the horizontal member 19 to the protective guards 16 supporting the end of the device closest to the pitcher as needed.

Further, the leg guards 16 as shown, are preferably slidably engaged to one or plurality of horizontal support members 18 which engage with one or both of the horizontal member 19 and the diagonal member 13. By a sliding engagement to the horizontal support members 18, a user may change the width ‘W’ between the guards 16 as needed and their respective spacing in proximity to the horizontal member 15 independently to accommodate different postures of different users.

Shown in FIG. 7, the device 10 may employ locking thumb screws 19, or other suitable means, to allow the user to positionable secure the guards 16 to the horizontal members 18 at the desired width ‘W’ deemed suitable by the user.

In the as-used sitting mode, the leg guards 16 are preferably configured as protective barriers for one or any suitable combination of the users feet, legs, knees, and thighs. Padded portions 27 may be provided in an engagement to the knee regions of the guards 16 as shown, for improved user comfort and safety.

A groin guard 20 is also preferably provided and positioned at or near the seat 14, in a substantially central part of the frame 12. The groin guard 20 may be provided by a raised wall extending from the frame 12 intended to cover the users groin when seated on the as-used sitting mode of the device 10. Engagement apertures 31 in the horizontal member 15 allow for adjusting the position thereof.

It is intended that in the as-used configuration or sitting mode, the device 10 will allow a catcher or instructor to be seated on the device 10 for use behind a hitting batter or merely for catching balls from a pitcher, without the need of conventional leg, groin, and chest protective padding or other equipment, aside from a conventional face mask for face, neck, and head protection. Thus the device 10 becomes a highly valuable training aid both for instructor and training baseball catcher users since conventional bulky padding is not required, thereby reducing user fatigue and allowing the user to quickly and easily sit or stand up from the device 10 as needed for making corrections, or during instructor feedback when players huddle or change positions.

FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 show the collapsed configuration or transport mode of the device 10 with the frame 12 collapsed to a substantially planar configuration to facilitate easy user-transport as shown. The frame 12 with engaged seat 14 and plurality of guards 16, 20 is foldable into a substantially planar transportable unit as clearly shown. A removable or permanently engaged pull handle 24, and luggage hook 26 may be also be provided in an engagement to the frame 12, opposite the wheels 22. The wheels 22 and/or the handle 24 can be permanently or removably engaged to the frame 12.

It is anticipated that the use of quick release means, such as threaded thumb screws, knobs, latches, or the like, can be employed to secure and thereafter operatively unlock the frame 12 of the device 10 from the sitting mode of FIGS. 1-3 to allow the user to easily fold or collapse the frame 12 into the transport mode of FIG. 4-6, as those skilled in the art will quickly envision this. In the transport mode, one or a plurality of luggage hooks 26 may be employed to hang or store additional equipment such as storage bags or buckets, which are commonly used for containing baseball accessories such as balls, gloves, and the like.

In at least one preferred mode, the wheels 22 are operatively positioned in an engagement to the frame 12 in an elevated position when in the sitting mode as shown in FIG. 1-3, to maintain the wheels 22 substantially elevated from a dirt or grass surface when in the sitting mode on a baseball field or other type field. As such, wheel bearings will be kept out of dirt or other debris present on the training field to maintain the quality of the wheels 22 after prolonged use. However, when folded, the device 10 can be flipped over to position the wheels 22 in an engagement with the ground 200 as shown in FIG. 6, and the user can easily transport the device 10.

It accordance with at least one other preferred mode shown in the detailed view of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the device 10 employs means for video recording and playback, and radar detection for ascertaining the pitched ball speed. This can include an operatively engage video recording and radar component 28 positioned at or near the second end of the device 10 in an engagement between the horizontal support members 18, positioned at a suitable height to provide a view of the at least one of the hitting batter, pitcher, or strike zone.

However, those skilled in the art may envision other suitable locations for the video recording and radar component 28, and as such the current position of the component 28 is provided merely as an illustrative example without being limiting in any manner. Electrical power can be provided by one or any suitable combination of rechargeable or replaceable battery, or plug-in for engagement to a conventional power socket or extension cord.

A guard plate 30 should be provided in front of the video recording and radar component 28 as a means to protect it from impact with errantly thrown or uncaught pitched balls. The plate 30 may include suitable apertures 32 to which align with the video lens 34 and radar sensor 36 of the video recording and radar component 28 as needed.

The video recording and radar component 28 is therefor preferably configured with suitable software and hardware allowing the user to record video as needed, as well as provide video playback. An video display component 29, capable of a wired or wireless communication 31 with the video recording and radar component 28 may be provided to display the real time captured video feed, as well as the recorded video for playback later.

It is of particular advantageous utility to provide a video display component 29 which can be employed remotely of the device 10, via Bluetooth or other wireless communication means 200, such that an additional instructor, player, or parent can view the video feed captured from the video recording and radar component 28 positioned at or near the height and location of the swinging batter, for evaluating the batter stance and swing, and strike zone of the pitched ball. Thus, during a training session, either an instructor or catcher player can employ the device 10, and other instructors, players, or parents can employ the video display 29 to view the various aspects of batter and pitcher also from the perspective of the catcher.

In at least one other preferred mode shown currently in FIG. 9, video recording can be provided through the adapted engagement of a users smartphone 100, such as a smartphone, or other suitable electronic having video recording means. A protective case 40 having a cavity 42 adapted to removably engage the smartphone 100 is currently shown. In this mode, the user may be provided with a download or other type application running software operating on the smartphone 100, adapted to one or any suitable combination of tasks including, recording ball trajectory, speed, and location relative a predetermined ‘strike zone’, capturing video, and communicating the video feed in real-time to other smartphone devices such as other instructor, player, or parent smartphones.

As such, the all users present or remote, can be in a wireless communication with the recording smartphone 100 for real-time viewing of the training players. A communication network through Bluetooth or the Internet can be set up from the recording smartphone 100 to allow any number of other users to simultaneously view the video feed, as needed for instructive or training purposes.

It is briefly noted that those skilled in the art will recognize various means for carrying out these intended features of the invention. As such it is to be understood that other methods, applications and systems employing software adapted to the task may be configured to carry out these features and are therefor considered to be within the scope and intent of the present invention, and are anticipated.

Further, it is noted, that in any of the preferred modes of the device 10, a measuring tape 38 may be provided in an engagement with the device 10, to allow an instructor user to measure distances from the device 10 such as the pitching mound distance. This may be an especially desired feature since it is known that player training sessions do not also take place on baseball fields having a home plate and pitchers mound present.

In yet another preferred mode of the invention shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a removable or permanently engaged chest guard 44 is provided. The chest guard 44 can be provided by an elongated padded guard, extending from a substantially central position on the frame 12, at or near the groin guard 20. The chest guard 44 may be spring biased 46 toward the seat 14, to allow the user to lean against the guard 44 for support in maintaining a forward leaning position, as is often desired for the proper stance of the catcher.

This invention has other applications, potentially, and one skilled in the art could discover these. The explication of the features of this invention does not limit the claims of this application; other applications developed by those skilled in the art will be included in this invention.

It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device 10 may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner.

While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A catching support bench apparatus, comprising: a frame, said frame positionable from a collapsed position wherein it is substantially planar, to an as-used position; said frame in said as used position being substantially planar; said frame in said as used position having a horizontal support having a first end and a second end; a vertical support extending between a position at or adjacent to said first end of said horizontal support to an engagement at or adjacent to one end of a diagonal positioned member, said diagonal positioned member extending to a second end engaged at or adjacent to said second end of said horizontal member; a pair of leg guards engaged with support members engaged with said frame, said leg guards having a vertical positioning relative to said horizontal support with said frame in said as-used position; said pair of leg guards and said vertical support member determining an elevation position of said horizontal member; a seat engaged at or adjacent to said second end of said horizontal support member; and a groin guard extending above said horizontal member with said frame in said as-used position. 